City's derby day heroics talk of the town

09 April 2013 07:51

Posted by @markbooth_mcfc

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Views and reaction from City’s 2-1 derby day triumph at Old Trafford.

It may not prove to be a decisive moment in the story of this season’s Premier League title race but City’s latest win at the home of their bitterest rivals seemed to prove that the 2011/12 champions are going nowhere.

“Was this the same Nasri who had been operating for most of the season, by Mancini's own reckoning, at 50%?” Taylor asked.

“Matija Nastasic reminded us why he has displaced Joleon Lescott while Gaël Clichy eventually got the better of Danny Welbeck and Vincent Kompany was more like the player we saw at the end of last season.

“Ferguson's assessment was that United had been the better team but it felt like a deception.

“Manchester United have given City a lesson in consistency this season, but City gave their neighbours a lesson in football on Monday night,” Redknapp declared.

“They were magnificent and got their tactics right with an attacking team. United were as direct as I've seen them and only looked threatening from set plays.

“Roberto Mancini seemed to be making that point after the game when he kept saying: 'We played football'.”

Tactics-guru Michael Cox of ZonalMarking.net also believes that Roberto Mancini got his selection and system spot on across all key areas on Monday night.

“City started better, with their attacking players linking nicely, particularly down the left,” Cox concluded.

“Clear goalscoring opportunities were rare, but City put United’s defence under pressure – and with the home side barely counter-attacking to test Joe Hart, for the majority of the game City looked more likely to score.

“Some have questioned precisely what he [Mancini] brings to City – but in head-to-head clashes against United, he’s generally outmanoeuvred Ferguson.”

If all of this positivity is a bit too happy clappy for you, you could always read the more sober views contained in the Jeremy Cross match report from the Daily Star which is headlined “Cocky Blues Crown Fools” which argues that the manager is to blame for the gap at the top of the table…